Hendrick ALREADY In Playoff Trouble? | Analyzing Elliott, Bell, Blaney and More Ahead of Gateway

Chase Briscoe’s playoff surge, Team Penske’s shot at redemption, and Hendrick Motorsports searching for answers — the NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Gateway, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the playoffs heating up, every lap matters, and this weekend could separate the contenders from the pretenders.

• Can Chase Briscoe’s hot streak with James Small really carry him all the way to Phoenix, and possibly a title run?
• Team Penske looked off at Darlington, but with Blaney, Logano, and Cindric all historically strong at Gateway, is this where they flip the script?
• Christopher Bell has shown speed on short flat tracks all year — could this be the weekend he takes control and solidifies his playoff spot?
• Hendrick Motorsports has struggled here in recent years, so can Elliott, Larson, Byron, or Bowman finally break through at one of their weakest tracks?

And let’s not forget the spoiler factor — non-playoff drivers like Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, or even Carson Hocevar could shake things up and steal the spotlight. With softer tires, high tire wear, and the pressure of playoff eliminations looming, Gateway has all the makings of a race that could redefine the championship picture. Who’s going to rise to the occasion, and who’s leaving St. Louis in a deeper playoff hole? Drop your predictions in the comments and buckle up, because Sunday is going to be a show.

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